Disclaimer: Everything related to Sonic the Hedgehog (c) SEGA/Sonic Team.

Ever since the revelation that Omega was to betray his comrade and friend in the future, the robot had been wanting to show his consolation and apology to Shadow through the universal form of physical affection: a hug. It's what the organics would do in this particular circumstance, after all, according to his observations.

What was thought to be an exceedingly simple gesture proved to be quite a challenge for the robot. Always, Omega would himself leaving his arms hanging awkwardly in the air because A) he was uncertain how to initiate it, B) there's an audience, always, somehow, and C) they had to move on before Omega could actually do it. And, after much calculation, he realises he really couldn't embrace anything; his arms and overall design simply wouldn't allow him.

So as an alternative, he patted Shadow's head instead.

Shadow looked up at him questioningly and so did Rouge. Neither said anything, but neither do they seem to be disapproving of it. Rouge even smiled that peculiar smile of hers, the kind that's usually followed by the crossing of her arms and the shaking of her head.

"Objective acquired," said Omega. He dropped his hand, satisfied.

Shadow nodded slowly and, in return, rapped a couple of times on Omega's chassis.

Omega internally chittered in a pattern his processor recognised as joy and delight. Shadow, at least understood and appreciated the gesture, even if it wasn't a hug.